The network was established in September 2009 following a workshop on the teaching of Chinese history, held with History Subject Centre funding, led by Jeremy Taylor at the University of Sheffield. The network aims to bring together people who teach Chinese history at institutions of higher learning in the UK to share best practice, access to new resources and materials, and general experiences in the field.

It understands Chinese history in the broadest possible sense, and includes people who work on all periods and from all angles (including the history of China itself, as well of Chinese societies outside China and the Chinese Diaspora).

The network plans to hold a second, larger workshop in 2012. It also hopes to develop contacts with similar networks and institutions abroad.